Back to the roots
1985: The Rulebreaker is the Rulemaker

In 1985, the Yamaha single-cylinder XT 500 and SR 500 enjoyed great popularity – one as an enduro, the other as a classic road motorcycle. They appeared in a phase of technical high performance according to the motto: "Rulebreaker today, rulemaker tomorrow." – a silent rebellion against the trend towards ever more powerful motorcycles.

Yamaha deliberately set contrasts: 27 to 34 hp instead of excessive horsepower, single-cylinder instead of four-cylinder, kickstarter instead of electric starter – and a weight well under 200 kg. This reduction to the essentials struck a chord: simpler, more robust, more honest. But above all, affordable.

The XT 500 became the favourite of the first enduro riders – and the defining motorcycle of an entire generation. For many, it was more than just a means of transport: it was both an initiation and a challenge. It is not without reason that people still speak reverently of the "man’s motorcycle" today.

Erich Wunderlich: The doer

One of them was Erich Wunderlich. His enthusiasm for Yamaha’s robust single cylinders never left him. As a student, he bought an XT – and rode it with a mixture of passion and technical curiosity. Old photos show him adventurous, off-road, in the mud – with the motorcycle as a faithful companion that had to go through everything.

But it was precisely during these borderline experiences that the XT revealed its weaknesses. For Wunderlich, this was not an obstacle, but an opportunity: the birth of his first improvements and ultimately his company.

Innovative. Right from the start
Developing with passion – to this day

Right from the start, Erich Wunderlich customised his XT, practically tailoring it to his body. In addition to the ideas of making the motorcycles suitable for long distances and he always focused on reliability and perfecting the technology: Legendary, of course, the "double direct lubrication" for the Yamaha single-cylinder XT and SR, whose qualities were confirmed by 7,000 (!) satisfied customers by April 1991. His special kit for optimising camshaft lubrication was the initial spark for the Wunderlich company and – as we know today – it was not a "one-hit wonder".

It felt like all Yamahas were equipped with it!

Necessity is the mother of invention when you are travelling a lot. Then it is the driving force behind ideas and innovation. But Erich Wunderlich would not be Erich Wunderlich if he had not – with a wink and a smile – come up with crazy ideas such as the side stand lighting or one for the open cam shaft of the R 18.

Big Adventure. Redefined.
2025: Not adapted. Unstoppable.

The perception of the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure evoked ambivalent impressions at its launch. It was above all the effect of the characterful design of the BMW flagship that initially seemed to divide opinion.

The BMW Design team has succeeded in creating a motorcycle so unique that once you have seen it, you will never forget it: the R 1300 GS Adventure can be reproduced in your mind’s eye at any time. A key measure of quality is recognisability. Even convincing design sometimes needs time to mature in order to unfold its effect.

We were impressed by the remarkable power of this enduro from the very first encounter.

The Tribute
The Adventure that you can’t get out of your head

Two motorcycles frame Wunderlich’s success story to date: the Yamaha XT 500 and the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure. They could hardly be more different – and yet they symbolise the development that Wunderlich has accompanied and helped to shape.

With the design of "The Tribute", the team has created an emotionally charged bike that combines the past and the future – a tribute to the beginnings. The Tribute builds a visual bridge to the year 1985 and stands as a milestone in the company’s 40-year success story. At the same time, it is a promising outlook.

The Tribute was created as a reminiscence of history and a look into the future. It stands for the passion for motorcycles and riding that drove Erich Wunderlich in 1985 and which is still the credo that Wunderlich lives by today.

Our Ride Goes On.

In addition to the credo of "Pure. Riding. Passion." another, issued by the second generation of the medium-sized company: Our Ride Goes On.

Wunderlich has developed in the same way that motorcycles have developed over the last 40 years. In addition to the attitude, the unique development expertise that the company has built up is fundamental to this: Here, experience meets expertise, know-how and precision meet unconditional passion for motorcycles, joy and the desire to be creative.

Throughout the company, you can feel the curiosity for the new and the desire to put modern premium motorcycles, which have no weaknesses but always offer potential for optimisation, on the lifting platform and get started.

Just like Erich Wunderlich. And in his spirit.

Why did the Yamaha XT 500 with polished aluminium tank serve as a model for The Tribute?

The most popular version of the Yamaha XT 500 was undoubtedly the first model with an aluminium tank – the 1N5, built in 1976 (in Europe from 1977). This original version with the polished aluminium tank, black side covers and classic scrambler look enjoys cult status today.

Why was the version with the aluminium tank so popular?

• Design icon: The polished aluminium tank had a unique, purist look that contributed greatly to the creation of the legend
• First of its kind: The XT 500 was the first large, standard four-stroke enduro motorcycle and set new standards
• Paris-Dakar fame: The early models were the basis for the successful rally bikes at the Paris-Dakar – which further increased their popularity
• Cult status among collectors: the first series is particularly sought-after today precisely because of the tank and achieves high prices

Later models were given a painted steel tank and other visual and technical changes. These versions were also successful, but the XT 500 legend is particularly strongly associated with the early aluminium tank version.